Participant compliance with the global prevention program (self-led exercises) [ Time Frame: At 6 and 12 months after intervention ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

sagittal alignement of the spine (X-ray) [ Time Frame: At baseline ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Original Secondary Outcome Measures ICMJE

Same as current

Current Other Outcome Measures ICMJE

Not Provided

Original Other Outcome Measures ICMJE

Not Provided

Descriptive Information

Brief Title ICMJE

An Educational and Exercise Program as Secondary Prevention of Recurrent Lower Back Pain in Healthcare Workers

Official Title ICMJE

An Educational and Exercise Program as Secondary Prevention of Recurrent Lower Back Pain in Healthcare Workers: A Randomized, Controlled, 2-year Follow-up Study.

Brief Summary

At Lyon University Medical Center, back problems are the leading cause of sick leave. The course of lower back pain is usually relatively short (recovery occurs within 4 to 6 weeks in 90% of cases). However, about 5-10% develop chronic lower back pain. Although this is a relatively small group, the economic consequences are enormous (accounting for 70 to 80% of the total cost of lower back pain).

Nowadays, some very general training sessions are offered to workers at Lyon University Medical Center, irrespective of their lower back pain status. These very general training sessions are mostly preventive and primary in nature (like back school program) despite the fact that these people already have a history of lower back pain, the main risk factor of recurrence and chronic pain.

Since the 1980, some multidisciplinary functional restoration programs have been advised as a strategy for secondary and tertiary prevention of lower back pain.

The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to assess the effectiveness of physical exercise combined with an educational program and self-led exercise for Lyon University Medical Center workers with lower back pain. We hope this intervention will reduce the risk of recurrence and chronic lower back pain.

Educational program will consist of 1, 2-hour, small-group (8-patient) session with a specialist physician in Physical and Rehablilitation Medecine. Workers will be given information about lower back pain, pain and psychosocial risk factors for persistent or recurrent back-related disability

Other: exercise program

The exercise program will consist of 5, 90-minute, small-group (8-patient) sessions with a physical therapist. Healthcare workers will be taught exercises including warm-ups, floor exercises, and endurance training. Only one absence will be allowed, otherwise the worker will be considered as non-compliant.

Other: Self-led exercises

Self-led exercises to perform as part of a daily exercise routine

Study Arm (s)

Experimental: 1

Study intervention:

A face/profile X-ray of their entire spine at baseline

Educational program

Exercise program

Self-led exercises

A follow-up at 12 and 24 months with their occupational therapist.

A follow-up at 18 months with a physical therapist.

Workers received also at the end of the educational program written standardized information about back pain ("the back book", an information booklet) 1.